EAST LANSING - Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, expected to be named a captain by teammates for the third consecutive year. But the honor was no less meaningful for the fifth-year senior who enters his third as starting quarterback for the Spartans.

"I am humbled and honored," said Cousins "It is a tremendous opportunity and I am thankful for my teammates and I think that they made a tremendous selection in choosing Joel and Trenton as captains as well. I think that was a wise, wise decision by my teammates."

Cousins is only the second three-year captain in the history of the Michigan State football. Center Robert MCurry (1946-47-48) was first three-year captain.

Senior safety Trenton Robinson and senior guard Joel Foreman join Cousins as captains in 2011. Robinson and Foreman are both first-time captains for the Spartans.

"They're a great group of leaders who have all played a lot of football here," said fifth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio in release after the final practice of training camp on Thursday. "They've not only had success, but they've also been on the other side of the fence a little bit in terms of having to battle through some adverse situations in their lives. When you pick leaders, as I told our football team this morning, you need to find people who have gone through difficult times and have been able to move forward in a positive manner. I think they will be great leaders for us."